BC "VEF Riga" (Latvia) - BC "Prometey" - 73:92 (19:25, 29:18, 18:17, 7:32). February 11. Latvian-Estonian basketball league Pafbet. Riga (Latvia). Arena "Riga". 5050 viewers.
BC "VEF Riga": Zoriks* (15), Miska* (6), Cosey* (7 + 3 assists), Brooks* (12 + 8 rebounds), Ate*, captain (6 + 7 rebounds), Krumins (0 ), Clarance (20), Putans (0), Butirins (3), Pinnis (0), Gulbis (4).
BC "Prometey": Balvin* (8 + 6 rebounds), Clavell* (11), Lukashov*, captain (0), Stephens* (22), Kennedy* (21 + 6 rebounds), Agada (14 + 6 assists) , Lypovyy (6), Sanon (7), Petrov (0), Sydorov (3), Dickey (0).
Today’s confrontation with the best club of Latvia “VEF Riga” meant for “Prometey” passing half of the Latvian-Estonian league second round tournament distance. The success of “red and white” in this confrontation made the opponent’s chance as well as the chance of “Kalev/Cramo” to finish atop the tournament standings purely theoretical. This was the main motivation of Ronen Ginsburg's team. As for “VEF”, they were full of determination to become the second team of the league after “Kalev/Cramo” with victory over “Prometey” in their assests.
It was difficult to give preference to any of the teams in the debut of the match. “Prometey” took the lead for the first time only in 5th minute (Ondrej Balvin), however, three minutes later, our team’s handicap was 8 points (20:12). Ronen Ginsburg's team offered the opponent such speeds that they could not cope with at first.
The teams went for the first break with “+6” in favour of the best club of Ukraine. At the beginning of the 12th minute, after successful attack from the perimeter by Oleksandr Lypovyy, the advantage of “Prometey” doubled – 33:21. At that moment, within four minutes, the team from Riga were able to give a decent answer in the form of a 15:0 spurt, which allowed them to take the lead. The team attacked from the perimeter very well with 45% of successful shots in penultimate minute (5 accurate attempts). Two more three-pointers by hosts of the court (Clarance both times) secured them, following the results of 20 game minutes, an intermediate advantage 48:43.
After the 15-minute break, the teams took turns in leading. In the last minute of the third quarter, the Latvian club led by 9 points (64:55). In this crucial moment, Oleksandr Lypovyy successfully attacked the opponents rim from the perimeter, which had to inspire his teammates.
After three-pointers by DJ Stephens, the teams entered the last 5-minute segment with the leadership of “Prometey” (73:70). This segment turned out to be the best one in this match for our team. Its dominance over the opponent was impressive.
“Prometey” attained its 22th victory in the league. Next week they will play three matches within the LEBL.
Natural mineral water "Vytautas" is the official hydration partner of BC "Prometey"
